10 Easy Tips to Cut Your Home Energy Bill This Winter

Dress for the weather and turn your thermostat down a few degrees

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you can save a ton of cash if you simply dress a little warmer during the colder months. If you get in the habit of wearing sweaters, slippers and blankets around your home, you can turn your thermostat down a bit and still be completely comfy. It’s winter – dress for it!

Get an energy audit (or Do It Yourself with a spot thermometer / infrared gun)

25 Comments

These are all great suggestions. The most important one is to get the home energy audit. This study will help you to determine the problem areas in your home so you can focus your improvements there. And depending on your location, these audits may be free through your utility who may also be able to provide you with information for incentives on any of the necessary upgrades.

spicoatingsneNovember 24, 2011 at 1:50 am

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chris offspringNovember 21, 2011 at 2:24 am

If you heat your home with electricity then buying LEDs is a waste of money.
LEDs may use 80% less energy, but what are those 80% converted to when using incandescent light bubs? How about heat?
So while you don’t decrease your energy consumption, you still pay a lot for those new shiny LED bulbs.
Remember we are talking about winter here.

chomphosyNovember 20, 2011 at 5:21 pm

Good advice and inspiration — but don’t forget another of the big ones: paint your house the right colours for energy conservation. A dark surface helps conserve heat while a light one reflects sunlight and helps keep the house cooler. Since it’s not practical to repaint or change your roofing every season, go with the one that makes the most difference in your climate.

night81November 20, 2011 at 2:04 pm

What is the mechanism of keeping a room warm at night by closing the blinds? Isn’t most of the heat in the form or infrared radiation, which glass is opaque to?

veffariNovember 5, 2011 at 7:11 pm

We’re missing a link to the Home Depot shopping cart?

My savings bulbs have ben lasting 2-4 years before starting the annoying blinking thing. Plastic your windows. Use old fashioned timers. Dress warmer. If you rent.

If you own your home, seal your windows, triple glazing does wonders. They still make storm windows. Beef up your insulation and keep the heating on timers and use localized heaters.

rubbishworksNovember 5, 2011 at 11:40 am

I love the power strip idea! I have all these tools that could be off for over 12 hours a day. What a great way to save energy.Rubbish Works -Seattle

What a great post. Since living in a small apartment I can concur, while cooking the apartment warms up very well. Otherwise, I dress in warm clothing.

The eco power strip and the LED bulb are two items which stand out the most for me. I’m looking to invest in the ecostrip to see the difference in my electrical bill. I have a lot of technology in my home lol. Although the LED bulb is expensive I wouldn’t mind taking time to build up an inventory on eco bulbs.

Catherine ChangNovember 3, 2011 at 11:23 am

Great tips… this was very helpful! I definitely need to invest in one of those smart power strips. It can really save you a bundle if you unplug electronics that aren’t in use… but knowing me, I probably wouldn’t remember to do that everyday.

MarkTNovember 3, 2011 at 11:19 am

Great energy saving tips! Thanks!

amyheartsfoodNovember 3, 2011 at 11:15 am

All great tips! For all ConEd customers, I believe they offer free timers for those with central cooling and heating systems. Give them a call and find out! Time your heat/air to turn on an hour or so before you get home so you don’t have to keep it on all day!

Yuka YonedaNovember 3, 2011 at 10:42 am

Thanks for the tip Bridgette!

JasminMCNovember 3, 2011 at 9:23 am

Great tips! I wear sweaters a lot to keep the thermostat down.

Rebecca PaulNovember 2, 2011 at 11:53 pm

I’m all for saving money and energy, but it always seems so daunting! Great tips I can definitely make some upgrades and adjustments this winter!

Totally agree with Dan, an energy audit will definitely keep you from covering up construction mistakes. For instance if you don’t air seal an attic before insulating then you might be wasting your time and money with insulation and heating.